Posted by judy1 on August 4, 2002, at 13:15:09
In reply to non-verbal child/BPD?/med side effects/detect how?, posted by somebetter on August 4, 2002, at 10:00:34
I am truly astounded that a psychiatrist could make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in a child suffering from severe downs syndrome. I've heard and read many times that this and ADHD are two of the most over-diagnosed disorders in children. What kind of options does the child's parents have in regards to a second or third opinion? Are they just trying to calm him down? Depakote will do that (regardless of diagnosis), but so will the benzos (xanax et al) and they have a much kinder side-effect profile. Since he is 14 (do you know his weight?) he shouldn't have different response then adults to these drugs. The most important thing to monitor with depakote is the liver- so he should be having weekly blood tests until he reaches a stable dose then monthly. The most common side-effects are sedation and nausea (which does pass after a couple of weeks). Is he non-verbal because of the Downs or is it possible he is autistic? I'm sorry, I'm not sure when the original post was written- can you post his symptoms now, his dose(s) of medication(s), and anything else relevant? My heart goes out to all of you- judy
poster:judy1
thread:115156
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020731/msgs/115169.html